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JUNE/JUL Y 2016 NO. 260 50 FASTER FOOTINGS 38 STAIR UPGRADE FEATURES 32 Bringing Back Balloon- Frame Construction This retro framing technique is a good fit for today’s superinsulated walls BY PAUL BIEBEL 38 Remodeling a Stair Rebuilding these stairs in place preserved a finished ceiling below but added other challenges BY MICHAEL PATTERSON 44 A Rural Electric House That Works A tight building envelope and plenty of insulation mean low energy bills, even for a Minnesota home with electric heat BY MARTIN HOLLADAY Tablet editions free to subscribers Our new digital editions include all of the magazine’s content, plus searchability and a host of interactive extras. Download the app at FineHomebuilding.com/apps. Access is free with your print subscription or FineHomebuilding.com online membership. 6 FINE HOMEBUILDING 50 It’s Time to Consider Helical-Pile Footings Steel piles screwed into the ground can support anything from mailboxes to houses BY JEREMY HESS 55 Smoother Walls Drywall primer/surfacers are the first step in getting the perfect paint job BY PHILIP HANSELL 58 Long-lasting Gravel Driveways Get the drainage and base right, and gravel can be an economical alternative to asphalt BY DAVID CROSBY e an economical halt 44 EFFICIENT ELECTRIC HEAT TOOL TEST 64 Twin Stacks If you choose wisely, your go-to air compressor can be quiet, durable, and easy to operate BY PATRICK MCCOMBE ProHOME 70 Elevating the Standard of Building Introducing Fine Homebuilding’s demonstration-home series— developed to educate designers, builders, and industry insiders on building’s best practices BY SEAN GROOM 64 6 THE BEST OM O PRESSORS